Make meaningful sentences by filling in the blanks with an appropriate word or phrase. This grammar exercise allows you to practice auxiliary verbs and inversion.
1I have always ............... play games well.
Wrong!
Use "been able to" after "have" because "can" has no present perfect form.
2He has always ............... to do what he wanted.
Wrong!
Use "been allowed" after "has" to form the present perfect passive.
3One cannot help but ............... his courage.
Wrong!
After "cannot help but," use the base verb "admire".
4............... do you want a holiday?
Wrong!
Use "How much" to ask about the degree of wanting something.
5I will have tea ............... coffee.
Wrong!
Use "instead of" before the thing that is replaced.
6They often go fishing ............... going to school.
Wrong!
Use "instead of" before the gerund "going" when one action replaces another.
7Stella often goes to the movies ............... telling her parents.
Wrong!
Use "without" before the gerund "telling" to show that the action does not happen.
8I am interested ............... what she did with that money.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "to find out" and "in finding out" are natural after "interested" here.
9At no time ............... aware of what was happening.
Wrong!
After the negative phrase "At no time," use inversion with "was he".
10Only then ............... understand what he meant.
Wrong!
After "Only then," use inversion with "did I" before the base verb.
11I wondered what time ...............
Wrong!
In an indirect question, use normal word order with "the show was starting".
12I tried ............... the doctor, but my hands were numb.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "to call" and "calling" can follow "tried" in this context.
Answers
- I have always been able to play games well.
- He has always been allowed to do what he wanted.
- One cannot help but admire his courage.
- How much do you want a holiday?
- I will have tea instead of coffee.
- They often go fishing instead of going to school.
- Stella often goes to the movies without telling her parents.
- I am interested to find out / in finding out what she did with that money.
- At no time was he aware of what was happening.
- Only then did I understand what he meant.
- I wondered what time the show was starting.
- I tried to call / calling the doctor, but my hands were numb.
